Lactose Intolerance

Lactose Intolerance

The most common food intolerance is lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance affects up to 10% of adults, and is associated with symptoms of flatulence (gas), abdominal distention (bloating), and diarrhea after consuming cow's milk. Cow's milk contains a sugar called lactose that requires the enzyme lactase for its digestion. People with lactose intolerance produce little or no lactase in their intestines and therefore are capable of digesting only a small amount of the lactose that is found in cow's milk. This leaves undigested lactose to travel through the digestive tract to the colon where it is fermented by the bacteria in the lower intestine producing the gas, pain and bloating associated with lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance does not involve the immune system and, therefore, is not considered a food allergy. However, food intolerances can also be the source of considerable physical discomfort and there are several ways to help alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance:

Avoid milk and milk products
Support the system with healthy lower gastrointestinal tract flora which helps remove lactose from the system "Probiotic 4000" for Douglas Labs is a great supplement.

Select milk products such as yogurt, or Kefir which are more easily digested and may not produce the symptoms of lactose intolerance because it contains Lactobacilli bacteria which removes some of the available lactose.
Lactase enzyme in supplement form "Probiotic 4000" for Douglas Labs is also available to help digest lactose. When added to a cup of cow's milk, it can help break down most of its lactose. However, it is less effective when taken with an entire meal.

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